Restrictions on ‘meaty’ names for meat-free products could be extended in the EU, adding terms that had previously been exempt from the regulation.
The initial ban, part of proposals to review the EU’s Common Market Organisation (CMO), agreed to restrict the use of 31 meat-related terms only to meat products. Terms including ‘steak’, ‘bacon’ and ‘chicken’ were restricted. However, there were exemptions for others, including ‘sausage’, ‘burger’ and ‘nugget’.
These exemptions may not last. New proposals to amend the CMO include terms ‘burger’, ‘hamburger’, ‘nugget’ and ‘sausage.’ These proposals also introduce new terms that were not previously included, such as ‘rabbit’ and ‘meatball.’
It restricts labelling in several other ways as well. The proposal defines meat products as those defined “exclusively from meat”, with the exception of substances necessary for manufacture. This means that hybrid meat products cannot use the banned terms.
Furthermore, it stresses that member states retain the ability to introduce new terms to the ban within their own markets.
Finally, the proposals highlight that terms such as ‘burger’, ‘sausage’ and ‘nugget’ must not be used for products derived from cell culture.
According to the European Vegetarian Union, a vote by the Agriculture Committee, which is discussing the proposals, will take place in December. This will be followed by a plenary vote later this year.
